Tipton
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 256 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Tipton is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the English place name and surname meaning 'Tibba's settlement,' from the Old English personal name Tibba and tun (settlement, farm). It has been used as a given name through the American tradition of elevating family surnames to first names.
Tipton has the solid, distinguished quality of a name found on antebellum courthouse records — a surname with geographic roots, worn as a first name with quiet authority.
EtymologyShow more
Though Tipton dates back to 1917 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Old English classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 256 recorded births, Tipton has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tipton has 36+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 29 | #10923 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 79 | #8792 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 26 | #10970 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 12 | #6605 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | #4686 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 21 | #4426 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 17 | #3982 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 40 | #3350 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 11 | #3982 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 7 | #3833 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 8 | #3188 | — |
The Story of Tipton
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2016, Tipton is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Tipton are most likely born between 2006 and 2023.
How rare is Tipton?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tipton is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 79 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Tipton by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1917–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 | #9650 |
| 2022 | 6 | #12167 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13884 |
| 2020 | 10 | #7992 |
| 2018 | 10 | #8093 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6627 |
| 2016 | 16 | #5768 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8672 |
| 2014 | 10 | #8064 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9574 |
| 2012 | 5 | #14022 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9513 |
| 2009 | 6 | #12334 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12400 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9839 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9306 |
| 1986 | 5 | #7734 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5476 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4686 |
| 1967 | 5 | #4497 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tipton as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tipton has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tipton a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tipton most popular?
How popular is the name Tipton?
Can Tipton be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–2023